Means for circulating a liquid through a processing apparatus



July 7. 1964 R. w. WENGEL 3,139,904

MEANS FOR CIRCULATING A LIQUID THROUGH A PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed June12, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 RAYMOND W WENGEL INVENTOR.

July 7, 1964 w wENGEL 3,139,904

MEANS FOR CIRCULATING A LIQUID THROUGH A PROCESSING APPARATUS FiledJune12, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 RAYMOND M. WENGEL INVENTOR 7 Mix %%W/ A TTORNE Ys R. W. WENGEL July 7, 1964 MEANS FOR CIRCULATING A LIQUIDTHROUGH A PROCESSING APPARATUS s Sheet-Sheet 5 Filed June 12, 1963 FIG.5

W. WENGEL INVENTOR RA YMOND W QQ ZW 97.41"...)

A T TORNE Y8 United States Patent 3,139,904 MEANS FOR CIRCULATING ALIQUID THROUGH A PROCESSING APPARATUS Raymond W. Wengel, Rochester,N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporationof New Jersey Filed June 12, 1963, Ser. No. 287,370 11 Claims. (Cl.137-563) The present invention relates to an arrangement for circulatingliquid through an apparatus, and is particularly directed to anarrangement for Circulating processing liquid in a treating apparatussuch as a photographic processing apparatus.

In the prior art relating to liquid photographic processing apparatuswherein a sheet'of paper or other type of support for a sensitive layeris immersed in a treating container filled with processing liquid, thehandling of the liquid presents certain problems. it is necessary to mixthe liquid before pouring it into the container which is aninconvenience and subject to the possibilities of spillages and gettingthe liquid on the hands and clothing of the operator. Similarpossibilities exist in those apparatuses where it is only necessary topour ready-- mixed liquid from a bottle or other type container into thecontainer. necessary to maintain a minimum level of liquid in thecontainerto insure complete immersion of the sheet of stock to bedeveloped because each sheet absorbs a portion of the liquid. Also sincethe liquid employed usually contains a volatile component, it willevaporate from the container if it is kept in the treating container forany length of time; this is especially true because of the large surfacearea presented by the container. Therefore, the liquid in the containerhas to be added to from time to time. Periodically, too, the containerfilled with the liquid has to be removed from the apparatus in order topour out the old liquid, clean the container and refill with freshliquid. This operation, also, is often subject to spillages.

An object of the present invention is to substantially eliminate thesemanual handling problems by providing an arrangement for automaticallyfilling the container to a predetermined level from a supply reservoirupon energization of the processing apparatus, continuously circulatingthe liquid in a reservoir-to-apparatus-to-reservoir cycle whilemaintaining the predetermined level, and upon de-energization of theapparatus providing for drainage of the liquid from the container to thesupply reservoir.

Other objects inherent in the nature of the arrangement disclosed willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which the arrangement isdirected.

In the drawings which form a part of the disclosure of this invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the pertinent portion In manyapparatuses In both types of apparatuses it is also of the photographicprocessing apparatus illustrating the circulating system, partly brokenaway in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the treating container illustratingthe side arm;

FIG. 3 is a view of the container'taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is anenlarged view of the pump guide bracket taken along line 44of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the pump impeller assembly;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the impeller;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in cross. section, of amodification of the overflow and level control ring; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of a furthermodification of the overflow and level control ring.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiment and structural arrangement of photographicapparatus disclosed in the drawings, but may be applicable to any suchapparatus which uses a liquid processing or treating agent. Accordingly,inas much as the operation of the different types of treating apparatusmay vary in a number of respects, and in view of the fact that theparticular type of a photographic apparatus shown is not included aspart of the invention, only those structural details of the photographicapparatus will be shown and described which are necessary to provide fora complete disclosure of the invention and its relation to such type ofapparatus.

The portion of the photographic apparatus illustrated is indicated ingeneral at 10, and is suitably supported by a frame 12 having a topcover member 14, side members 16 (only one of which is shown) and abottom member 18, all suitably secured to form a longitudinalchannellike structure. The circulating arrangement mounted on the frame12 includes the treating container 20, a side arm 22 preferably integralwith the container and located at the front and one side of thecontainer in open communication therewith, a supply'reservoir 2.4slidable into the longitudinal channel-like structure through opening 15and disposed below the container and sidearm, and a pumping assembly,indicated in general at 26, which in operative position is supported byand disposed partly within the side arm of the treating container andthus prevents the removal from the apparatus of the container and thereservoir.

The container 20, the side arm 22 and reservoir 24 are preferably formedfrom noncorrosive materials, such as suitable plastics. As is shown inFIG. 3 the container 20 slopes downwardly from the rear of the containerto the side arm 22 so that liquid will drain toward a drain opening 28provided in the side arm and out through a drain spout 30, the latterprojecting downwardly from the opening and preferably being formedintegrally with the side arm. The drain opening 28 and spout 30 are incommunication with an opening 32 provided in the top of the reservoir 24and the spout is adapted to extend into the reservoir opening to form aconduit therewith when the container and reservoir are in theirinstalled positions. Thus the drain spout 30 and the reservoir opening32 have a common axis and are concentrically disposed relative to eachother. Sufficient clearance is provided between the inside surfaces ofthe reservoir opening and the outside surfaces of the drain spout inorder to permit the spout to be readily inserted into and retracted fromthe reservoir opening so that the reservoir may be removed when desired.

The container 20 is supported above the top of the frame 12 by aninverted U-shaped channel member 34 which has a top surface 36 thatslopes downwardly from the rear of the frame to provide a suitablesupporting surface for the sloping container. As shown in FIG. 2, arestraining guide member 35 is suitably secured to the frame of theapparatus and is provided with a side guide surface 37 for guiding thecontainer as it is slid into and out of position on the apparatus, and afront guide surface 39 which abuts the side arm 22 of the container andthus limits the extent to which the container is slid rearwardly on theapparatus. A similar restraining guide member (not shown) is suitablysecured to the frame for the opposite side of the container. In theparticular embodiment of the container shown in the drawings, it isusually provided with a top shelf 38, which supports the paper stock(not shown) to be used in the photographic apparatus and beneath whichis that portion of tus provision is made at the front of the containerfor receiving a transfer mechanism (not shown), which will not bedescribed, as it is not necessary for an understanding of the invention.Such may be of the type shown in US. Patent No. 2,666,384, issued toYutzy et al. A pair of drain channels 40 and 42, as shown in FIG, 2 areprovided in the bottom of the side arm 22 wh1ch respectively lead to thedrain opening 28 from the main part of the container 20 and from thatportion of the container which will contain the transfer mechanism so asto facilitate drainage.

The pumping assembly 26 includes a motor 44 and motor housing 4-6, apump unit indicated generally at 48, a drive shaft 50 interconnectingthe motor and pump unit, a liquid intake tube member 52 through whichthe drive shaft extends for connection with the pumping unit at one endthereof, a deflector member 54 at the other end of the intake tubemember for directing the pumped liquid into the side arm 22 and tray 20,and an overflow and level control ring 56 operatively connected to thedeflector member and encompassing the intake tube member 52 in radiallyspaced relation therefrom.

The pumping assembly is supported by a cover plate 58 which interfits ontop of the side arm 22, and the intake tube member 52 and pump unit 48extend downwardly through the drain opening 28, spout 30 and reservoiropening 32 to the vicinity of the bottom of the reservoir. The overflowand level control ring 56 in the operative position of the pumpingassembly is adapted to engage the bottom surface of the side arm aboutthe drain opening preventing liquid from readily flowing from thecontainer back to the reservoir until the liquid lifted or pumped to thecontainer reaches the top of the ring, the desired level being shown atA, at which level excess liquid will spill over the top of the ring andreturn to the reservoir via a conduit formed by the drain opening, spoutand reservoir opening. Suificient clearance is provided between theoutside surface of the intake tube member and the inside surface of thedrain opening and spout so as to permit drainage at the pumping rate.

The motor housing 46 includes the aforementioned cover plate 58 to whichthe other elements of the pumping assembly 26 are connected, and whichin turn is adapted to interfit over the side arm 22 of the container 20by means of a downwardly extending continuous flange 60, as shown inFIG. 1, which fits within and in contiguous relation to the walls of theside arm. A pair of posts 62 (only one shown in FIG. 1) support themotor 44 above the cover plate and the motor is secured thereto bysuitable screws (not shown) which project through an aperture (notshown) in the frame of the motor for threaded connection to the posts.

The shaft 66 of the motor extends downwardly therefrom for connectionwith the drive shaft 50 and extends upwardly from the topside of themotor to drive an impeller disc 68 of a centrifugal blower to supplycooling air to the motor. A flanged cavity 70 having a gap '72 thereinis provided within the cover 74 for the motor housing 46, which cover issuitably secured to the cover plate 58. As the impeller disc 68 rotateswithin the cavity 70 the air circulated by the impeller enters the coverthrough slots 76 (only one shown in FIG. 1) at the side of the coveradjacent the forward end and, rises over the motor to enter the flangecavity 70. The air is discharged through the gap 72 in the flange cavityover the stator winding 78 and passes out from the cover through a slot80 at the rearward end of the cover. The circulation is indicated by thearrows in FIG. 1.

The cover plate 58 is provided with a hole 82 through which the driveshaft 50 extends for connection with the pump unit 48. In order tominimize the possibility of any liquid being drawn up into the motorhousing through the hole 82, a rubber-like seal 84 or slinger isfastened to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The hub of theslinger extends upwardly through the hole 82 allowing sufiicientclearance between the hub and the sides of the hole so as to notinterfere with the rotation of the shaft. The disc-like base of theslinger is preferably integral with the hub and is located below but inclosely spaced relation to the hole and the surrounding undersurface ofthe cover plate. The hub may be tapered in the manner shown so as topresent a conical surface. If any moisture should enter the housing, itwill be driven by centrifugal force towards the greater diameter of thehub and between the disc-like base and the undersurface of the coverplate.

The intake tube member 52, deflector member 54 and overflow and levelcontrol ring 56 are formed from noncorrosive material, such as asuitable plastic, and the intake tube and deflector members are alsopreferably formed as an integral unit. The intake tube member anddeflector member are connected to and suitably spaced from the coverplate by preferably three spaced posts 86 (only two shown in FIG. 1)which extend downwardly from the undersurface of the cover plate.

The overflow and level control ring or cylindrical sleeve 56 is locatedbelow the deflector member 54 and is concentrically disposed about andradially spaced from the intake tube member 52. The ring is preferablyconnected to the deflector member for floating adjustment relative tothe deflector and intake tube members. A plurality of vanes 88 extendradially from the inside surface of the ring toward but spaced from theouter surface of the intake tube member 52 for a loose sliding fittherewith. Each vane is provided with a vertical extension or rod 90,which may be formed integrally with the vane or separately formed andconnected to the upper end thereof for sliding projection through anaperture 92 is the deflector 54. The vertical extension or rod is asupport for a spring 94 which reacts against and between the deflectormember and vane to push the level control ring 56 downwardly. A flangedseat 96 is provided on the undersurface of the deflector member forreceipt of the upper end of each spring.

An annular shoulder 98 preferably integrally formed on the outer surfaceof the intake tube member serves as an abutment for the bottom edges ofthe radial vanes 88 on the level control ring 56 to prevent the latterfrom dropping ofi the lower end of the intake tube member 52.

In FIG. 7' a modification of the overflow and level con trol ring orcylindrical sleeve 256 is disclosed wherein a counterbore 100 isprovided about the drain opening, which counterbore is fitted with asuitable gasket 101 which in cooperation with the level control ringprovides a liquid tight seal.

In FIG. 8 a further modification of the overflow and level control ringor cylindrical sleeve 356 is disclosed wherein the vanes 388 on the ringmay radially extend from the inside surface of the ring to the outsidesurface of the intake tube member 352 for securement thereto.

The pump unit 48 is preferably of the impeller type, the impeller 102having what is known as a backward curve blade as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6and which is generally used for pumping liquids because it has lesstendency to cause foaming of the developing liquid. The pump unit thusconstitutes an impeller assembly and is located within the bottom end ofthe intake tube member 52 and as shown in FIG. 5 comprises a hollowcylindrical-conical housing 104 constituting the pump stator 106 andcontaining a plurality of radial vanes 108, the latter serving to stopthe rotation of the liquid discharged from the impeller and redirect itsmotion upward into the intake tube member 52. The vanes 108 join withthe inner wall of the stator at their outer edges and may be formedintegral therewith. Their radial inner edges form a seat in which abearing support 110 and impeller backing plate 112 are seated. Thelatter two elements may also be formed integral with the vanes, ifdesired. A Teflon bushing 114 is pressed through the central apertureprovided in the impeller backing plate and functions as a bearing forthe drive shaft 50; the upper and lower ends of the vanes projectrespectively beyond the topand bottom of the housing or startor to serveas locating guides to facilitate assembly with the intake tube memberand the startor cap 116. The stator cap is provided with a centrallydisposed opening 118 through which the liquid is drawn upwardly by theimpeller 102 into the intake tube member.

In operating the circulating arrangement, the container 20 and reservoir24 are positioned within the supporting frame 12, in the mannerdisclosed in FIG. 1, and are interconnected by a conduit formed by thedrain opening and spout of the side arm and the opening of thereservoir. The pumping assembly 26 is placed in operative position sothat the cover plate 58 interfits with the top of the side arm, asheretofore described, and the intake tube member and pumping unit areinserted downwardly through the drain opening 28, spout 30 and reservoiropening 32 into the vicinity of the bottom of the reservoir. Theoverflow and level control ring 56 automatically makes a floatingadjustment about the drain opening and in contact with the bottomsurface of the side arm so as to prevent liquid from readily drainingfrom the container through the drain opening.

The motor of the apparatus is energized and the pump unit draws theliquid from the reservoir up through the opening 118 in the stator capopening 116 and into the intake tube member 52 and out its upper endover the deflector member 54 and into the container. The deflectormember 54 radially extends outwardly to a greater diameter than theoverflow and control ring so as to prevent the pumped liquid fromdirectly entering the opening in the top of the ring. An annularvertical flange 120 is provided on the outer edge of the deflectormember in order to prevent the pumped liquid from curling under theedges of the deflector member and pouring through the top opening in thering back to the reservoir.

When the pumped liquid fills the container and side arm to apredetermined height as indicated by level A, which is to the top of theoverflow and level control ring, the excess liquid then flows over thetop of the ring and back to the reservoir through the conduitinterconnecting the container and reservoir. In this manner the liquidis always kept at a predetermined level in the container duringoperation of the apparatus, and thus by the character of this operation,the liquid retains its freshness for a longer operating life before itbecomes necessary to change the reservoir for a new supply of processingliquid.

Inasmuch as the processing liquid is subject to evaporation, provisionis made for the liquid to drain completely from the container and returnto the reservoir when the motor and thus the apparatus has beende-energized for a predetermined period of time. A small semi-circularnotch or aperture 121 may be provided in the lower edge of the overflowand level control ring which will allow slow and continuous drainagetherethrough. The small notch does not interfere with the filling of thecontainer to the predetermined height, even though there iscontinuousdrainage therethrough when the apparatus is in operation since thedrainage is considerably slower than the pumping rate, and if theapparatus is shut down for a period less than the predetermined time fortotal drainage through the notch, then it will not be necessary for theoperatorto wait as long for the pump unit to fill the container as wouldbe true whenthe container is entirely empty.

When it is desired to empty the container completely and quickly, thecover 74 to the motor housing 46 of the pumping assembly 26 may serve asa handle by which the assembly may be lifted as a unit. This movement ofthe pumping assembly also lifts the overflow and level control ring outof engagement aboutthe drain opening, thereby permitting rapid andcomplete drainage of the liquid from the container to the reservoirthrough an in- 'terconnecting conduit. As is apparent from the drawingsand particularly in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the lifting movement only has tobe sufficient to break the sealing effect of the overflow and levelcontrol ring about the drain "opening, and after complete drainage, amatter of a few seconds, the pumping assembly may be repositioned ininterengagement with the side arm of the container.

In order to empty the container for purposes of removing and cleaningand/ or for slidably removing the reservoir and inserting a newreservoir containing fresh processing liquid, and in order also to avoidinadvertently damaging any of the elements of the pumping assembly bybringing them into contact with the sides of the conduit as the assemblyis being raised, a guiding and supporting structure indicated generallyat 122 is provided by which the pumping assembly may be lifted into aninoperative position out of the reservoir and the side arm 22 of thecontainer, as illustrated by the dotted line position of the pumpingassembly in FIG. 1. A vertical frame 124 having a guide channel 126established therein is attached to the upper surface of the frame 12 tothe rear of and spaced from the side arm by bolts 125. A cooperatingbracket member 128 attached to and projecting rearwardly from the coverplate 58 on the pumping assembly is connected to the vertical frame 124for sliding movement within the guide channel by means of bolts 130,nuts 131, cooperating guide shoe 132 and plate Washer 133. The guideshoe and plate washer are preferably formed from a suitable plastic,such as nylon, to provide minimal friction. One of the plates isinterposed between the bracket member and vertical frame, while theplate washer is disposed on the opposite side of the vertical frame asshown in FIG. 4. The guide shoe is provided with integral bosses 138which ride in the channel in sliding relation therewith. The guidechannel extends in a vertical up-and-down direction and the channelchanges direction and extends rearwardly at a slight incline terminatingin a notch 134 wherein the pumping assembly is guided for support in aninoperative position inclined relative to the side arm on the container.In this position the intake tube member and pump unit are clear of theside arm of the container and the incidental dripping of the wettedsurfaces of the pumping assembly falls back into the opening of the sidearm for return to the reservoir through the conduit.

In the modification shown in FIG. 8, because the overflow and levelcontrol ring 356 is integrally formed with the intake tube member bymeans of the radially extending vanes 388, there is no floatingadjustment of the ring with the bottom surface of the side arm about thedrain opening.

In the modification of FIG. 9 no aperture or semicircular notch isprovided in the bottom edge of the overflow and level control ringbecause it is intended by this modification to maintain a liquid-tightseal. It is possible, if desired, to de-energize the pumping assemblyafter the container is filled, thereby only energizing the pumpingassembly whenever the level of the liquid in the container and side armfall below the minimum necessary to in sure complete immersion of asheet of paper inserted into the container. If complete drainage isdesired at the end of a particular operation, but there is no intentionof removing and cleaning the container and/ or reservoir, then it isonly necessary to lift the pumping assembly to an extent sufficient tobreak the seal between the overflow and level control ring and thegasket until the liquid is drained.

It will now be apparent that the arrangement disclosed for circulatingliquid through the treating apparatus is economical in the sense that itis compact, occupying a smaller space, and is capable of filling anddraining the container through the same opening through which thepumping assembly extends. For the purpose of claiming the invention, theside arm 22 is considered to be part and parcel of the container.

The'invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim: 1. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treatingapparatus comprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquids;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below thecontainer;

a conduit means providing a drainage connection from the container tothe reservoir, said conduit means ineluding a drain opening in thebottom of the container and an opening in the top of the reservoir;

a pumping assembly having an operative position in which it extends fromthe container through the conduit means into the reservoir to pumpliquid from the reservoir upwardly through said conduit means into thecontainer, said assembly including:

(a) tubular means for carrying liquid being pumped from said reservoirinto the container,

(b) overflow sleeve means disposed about and spaced from the tubularmeans and providing an upward extension of said drainage connectionthrough which the liquid overflows to the reservoir upon reaching apredetermined level when the pumping assembly is in said operativeposition;

and means mounting said pumping assembly for movement to an inoperativeposition in which said overflow sleeve means is moved away from saiddrainage connection, whereupon liquid below said predetermined leveldrains from the tray to the reservoir.

2. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having a drain openingin the bottom thereof;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below the drainopening of the container and having an opening in the top thereof;

means connecting the reservoir and drain openings and providing adrainage connection from the container to the reservoir;

and a pumping assembly disposed above the treating container and havingan operative position and including intake means which in said operativeposition extends downwardly through the drain opening, connecting meansand the opening in the reservoir, said pumping assembly adapted forlifting the liquid upwardly through the intake means into the containerand including:

(a) means for lifting the liquid through the intake means,

(b) and a hollow cylindrical overflow seal means in engagement with thebottom of the container about the drain opening and providing an upwardextension of said drainage connection through which the liquid overflowsto the reservoir upon reaching a predetermined level when the pumpingassembly is in said operative position;

said pumping assembly when moved from said operative position beingadapted to be raised upwardly to lift said seal means from engagementwith the bottom of said container and provide for drainage of liquidbelow said predetermined level from the container to the reservoir.

3. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having a drain openingin the bottom thereof and a spout extending downwardly from the opening;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below thecontainer and having an opening in the top thereof in interconnectionwith the spout of the container;

8 a pumping assembly comprising:

(a) intake tube means,

(b) a pumping means disposed at one end of the intake tube means,

(0) means for driving the pump means,

(d) and an overflow ring means disposed about said drain opening andadjacent the other end of the intake tube means and radially spacedtherefrom;

and means for movably mounting said pumping assembly above the containerto move between an operative position in which said intake tube meansand pump means extend through the spout into the reservoir and saidoverflow ring means provides an upward extension of said spout throughwhich the liquid overflows to the reservoir upon reaching apredetermined level, and an inoperative position in which said intaketube means and pump means are lifted out of the reservoir end of thespout and the overflow ring means is moved away from said drain openingto provide for drainage of liquid below said predetermined level fromthe container to the reservoir.

4. An arrangement for circulating the liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having a drain openingin the bottom thereof;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below the drainopening of the container and having an opening in the top thereof;

means interconnecting the drain and reservoir openings and providing adrainage connection from the container to the reservoir;

and a pumping assembly disposed above the treating container and movableto and from an operative position and comprising:

(a) intake means which in said operative position extends downwardlythrough the drain opening and interconnecting means and into thereservoir and is adapted for conducting the liquid upwardly into thecontainer,

(b) means for lifting the liquid through the intake means,

(c) hollow cylindrical overflow seal means which in said operativeposition is adapted to be axially adjustable relative to the intakemeans for substantial sealing engagement with the bottom of thecontainer about the drain opening and extending above the containerbottom to a predetermined height so that liquid in excess of said heightspills over through said seal means in return to the reservoir;

(d) and deflector means at the upper end of the intake means andextending radially beyond the overflow seal means for directing liquiddownwardly past the latter and into the container;

said pumping assembly when moved from said operative position beinglifted upwardly as a unit to lift said overflow seal means fromengagement with the bottom of said container and thereby provide fordrainage of liquid below said predetermined height from the container tothe reservoir.

5. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

extends downwardly through the drain opening, interconnecting means andinto the'reservoir and is adapted for conducting the liquid upwardlyinto the container, (b) means for lifting the liquid through the intakemeans,

(c) and a hollow cylindrical overflow seal means;

a resilient gasket disposed within the bottom surface of the containerabout the drain opening;

said hollow cylindrical overflow seal means adapted to be axiallyadjustable relative to the pumping assembly for cooperative engagementwiththe resilient gasket and providing an upward extension of saiddrainage connection through which the liquid overflows to the reservoirupon reaching a predetermined level when the pumping assembly is in saidoperative position;

said pumping assembly being adapted to be lifted upwardly as a unit andthereby provide for drainage of liquid below said predetermined levelfrom the container to the reservoir.

6. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid;

a reservoir disposed belowthe treating container for holding a supply ofthe liquid;

first and second conduit means interconnecting the container andreservoir;

pump means at one end of one of said conduit means for pumping liquidfrom the reservoir upwardly to the container;

means in the container at the upper end of the other of said conduitmeans for controlling the level of the liquid in the container andmovable for draining the liquid in the container back to the reservoir;

and means for guiding the movable controlling means to a position out ofthe container.

7. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having a drainopening;

a reservoir for holding the liquid in supply for the apparatus anddisposed below. the treating container and having an opening forinterconnection with the drain opening of the treating container;

first passage means interconnecting the drain opening and the reservoiropening for returning the liquid from the treating container to thereservoir;

second passage means concentrically disposed relative to the firstpassage means and adapted for directing the liquid upwardly from thereservoir to the container;

means extending through the second passage means for drawing the liquidtherethrough;

and means annularly disposed relative to one of the passage means forclosing the drain opening and for maintaining a predetermined level ofliquid in the tray and including means therein adjacent the drainopening for continuously and slowly passing the liquid from thecontainer downwardly through the first passage means to the reservoir.

8. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having a drain openingin the bottom thereof;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below the drainopening of the container and having an opening in the top thereof;

means interconnecting the drain and reservoir openings and providing adrainage connection from the container to the reservoir;

a pumping assembly movable to and from an operative position anddisposed above the treating container and including:

(a) intake means which in said operative position extends downwardlythrough the drain opening, interconnecting means and into the 10 Ireservoir and is adapted for directing the liquid upwardly into thecontainer,

(b) means for lifting the liquid through the intake means,

'(c) a hollow cylindrical overflow seal means in engagement with thebottom of the container about the drain opening and providing an upwardextension of said drainage connection through which the liquid overflowsto the reservoir upon reaching a predetermined height when the pumpingassembly is in said operative position; said pumping assembly beingadapted to be lifted up wardly as a unit thereby providing for drainageof liquid below said predetermined height from the container to thereservoir;

and means attached to the apparatus for guiding the pumping assembly toa raised position and includ ing holding means for supporting thepumping assembly in a position above and at an incline with respect tothe container.

9. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid and having an opening;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below theprocessing tray and having an opening in the top thereof;

first cylinder means extending between and in connection with theopenings of the container and reservoir and located on one side of thecontainer;

second cylinder means located on the other side of the container andadjacent one end of the first cylinder means in coaxial alignmenttherewith and with the container opening and forming an extension of thefirst cylinder means;

third cylinder means extending from a point beyond the first cylindermeans within the container and through the first and second cylindermeans to a point beyond the second cylinder means within the reservoir;

and means for drawing liquid from the reservoir through the thirdcylinder means into the container until the liquid level in thecontainer reaches the top of the second cylinder means wherein theliquid in excess of said liquid level returns from the container throughthe first and second cylinder means to the reservoir;

one of the first and second cylinders being axially movable relative tothe other and to the container opening for drainage of the liquid fromthe container.

10. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatushaving a longitudinal channel with an opening thereto at one end,comprising:

a treating container slidably received in such apparatus for receivingthe liquid; a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposedbelow the container and being slidable into said longitudinal channelthrough said opening;

conduit means providing a drainage connection from the container to thereservoir, said conduit means including a drain opening in the bottom ofthe container and an opening in the top of the reservoir;

a pumping assembly movable to and from an operative position in which itextends through the container and the conduit means into the reservoirto pump liquid from the reservoir upwardly into the container and toprevent removal of the container and the reservoir from the apparatus,said assembly including:

(a) tubular means for carrying liquid being pumped from said reservoirinto the container, (12) overflow sleeve means disposed about and spacedfrom the tubular means and providing an upward extension of saiddrainage connection through which the liquid overflows to the 1 1reservoir upon reaching a predetermined level when the pumping assemblyis in said operative position;

and means on said apparatus for guiding said pumping assembly formovement to an inoperative position in which said overflow sleeve meansis moved away from said drainage connection, whereupon liquid below saidpredetermined level drains from the tray to the reservoir and thecontainer and the reservoir may be slidably removed from the apparatus.

11. An arrangement for circulating a liquid in a treating apparatuscomprising:

a treating container for receiving the liquid;

a substantially closed liquid supply reservoir disposed below thecontainer;

one of said container and reservoir being removable from the apparatus;

conduit means providing a drainage connection from the container to thereservoir, said conduit means including a drain opening in the bottom ofthe container and an opening in the top of the reservoir;

a pumping assembly movable to and from an operative position in which itextends through the container and the conduit means into the reservoirto pump liquid from the reservoir upwardly into the container and toprevent removal of said one of said container 12 and reservoir from theapparatus; said assembly including:

(a) tubular means for carrying liquid being pumped from said reservoirinto the container, (b) overflow sleeve means disposed about and spacedfrom the tubular means and providing an upward extension of saiddrainage connection through which the liquid overflows to the reservoirupon reaching a predetermined level when the pumping assembly is in saidoperative position, and means on said apparatus for guiding said pumpingassembly for movement to an inoperative position in which said overflowsleeve means is moved away from said drainage connection, whereuponliquid below said predetermined level drains from the tray to thereservoir and one of said container and reservoir may be removed fromthe apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,922,117 Turner Aug. 15, 1933 2,287,396 Roth June 23, 1942 FOREIGNPATENTS 866,704 Great Britain Apr. 26, 1961 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3, 139,904 Y i July 7, 1964'Raymond W., Wengel It is hereby certified that error appears in theabove numbered patent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 22, after "and" insert to column 4, line 33, for "is"read in column 5, lines 2 and 3, for "startor", each occurrence, readstator column 6, line 6, after "cleaning" insert the container column 7,line 6, for "liquids" read liquid line 9, strike out "a",

first occurrence.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of January 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER ERNEST W. SWIDER' Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No,3, 139. 904 i V I V v d July 7 1964' Raymond W, Wengel It is herebycertified. that error appears in the above numbered patent requiringcorrection and that the said Letters Patent should read as correctedbelow Column 2, line 22 after "and" insert to column 41 line 33, for"is" read in column 5 lines 2 and S for '"startor", each occurrence readstator column 6 line 6, after "cleaning" insert, the container column 7,line 6, for x"liquids" read liquid line 9 strike out "a",

first occurrence,

Signed and sealed this 12th day of January 1965.,

(SEAL) I Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER' AttestingOfficer

6. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULATING A LIQUID IN A TREATING APPARATUSCOMPRISING: A TREATING CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING THE LIQUID; A RESERVOIRDISPOSED BELOW THE TREATING CONTAINER FOR HOLDING A SUPPLY OF THELIQUID; FIRST AND SECOND CONDUIT MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE CONTAINER ANDRESERVOIR; PUMP MANS AT ONE END OF ONE OF SAID CONDUIT MEANS FOR PUMPINGLIQUID FROM THE RESERVOIR UPWARDLY TO THE CONTAINER; MEANS IN THECONTAINER AT THE UPPER END OF THE OTHER OF SAID CONDUIT MEANS FORCONTROLLING THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID IN THE CONTAINER BACK TO THERESERVOIR; AND MEANS FOR GUIDING THE MOVABLE CONTROLLING MEANS TO APOSITION OUT OF THE CONTAINER.